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Zarina Muhammad's Ecofeminist Installation at Singapore Biennale Reclaims St John's Island Histories

exhibition · 2026-04-20

Zarina Muhammad's exhibit, 'Moving Earth, Crossing Water, Eating Soil' (2022), reimagines the main administrative building on St John's Island for the Singapore Biennale, running until 19 March. This installation features a four-pillar framework influenced by the saka guru, showcasing a cosmographic map-diorama alongside symbolic items such as a round mirror, an antique tobacco-cutter, and a gentorag bell-rattle. Painted animal silhouettes on the pillars relate to Bugis divination diagrams. Muhammad's work, which spans twelve years, integrates Southeast Asian mythologies with ecofeminist themes. Previous projects include 'Talismans for Peculiar Habitats' (2019) and 'not Terra Nullius' (2018). Additionally, her film 'Breathing in Unbreathable Circumstances' (2022) and a garden installation complement the Biennale's exploration of human and nonhuman interactions.

Key facts

  • Zarina Muhammad's installation 'Moving Earth, Crossing Water, Eating Soil' (2022) is part of the Singapore Biennale.
  • The work is located in the main administrative building on St John's Island, south of Singapore.
  • The installation features a central structure inspired by the saka guru from Javanese architecture.
  • Artifacts include a round mirror, antique tobacco-cutter, and gentorag bell-rattle referencing island history.
  • Painted animal cutouts correspond to eight creatures from Bugis divination diagrams.
  • Muhammad's practice blends Southeast Asian mythologies with ecofeminist perspectives.
  • The Singapore Biennale is named Natasha and runs through 19 March.
  • St John's Island has served as a quarantine station, detention center, and refugee shelter over 150 years.

Entities

Artists

  • Zarina Muhammad
  • Mohammad Din Mohammad
  • Salleh Japar

Institutions

  • Singapore Biennale
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • St John's Island
  • Singapore
  • South Sulawesi
  • Indonesia
  • Java
  • Bukit Larangan
  • Fort Canning Hill
  • Bras Basah
  • Kallang
  • 37 Emerald Hill
  • Malay

Sources